Probability of Success

History

2009-10: Lucia, son of University of Minnesota Head Coach Don Lucia, played for Wayzata (MN) High School. In 27 games, he scored 15 goals and added 27 assists for 42 points. In 2 playoff games, Lucia picked up 2 assists.

2010-11: In 27 games for Wayzata High School, Lucia scored 30 goals and added 24 assists for 54 points. In 3 playoff games, he scored 5 goals and added 2 assists for 7 points. Lucia also played in the Upper Midwest Hockey League for Team Northwest, scoring 6 goals and adding 6 assists for 12 points in 10 games. He registered no points in 1 playoff game.

2011-12: Lucia was the second-leading scorer for BCHL and RBC Cup (Canadian junior hockey) champion Penticton and represented the USA in the 2011 U19 World Junior A Challenge. He scored a league-leading 42 goals with 51 assists in 56 games for the Vees. Penticton won 54 of 60 games during the regular season and defeated Powell River in the playoff finals. Lucia scored 6 goals with 10 assists in 15 playoff games. He had 3 assists and 8 penalty minutes in six games at the RBC Cup. The Vees won four straight games at the RBC Cup after losing two games in round-robin play to capture the title. Playing for the bronze medal USA squad at the WJAC, Lucia was the tournament’s leading goal scorer with four goals and had 1 assist in four games. In October 2011 he committed to playing college hockey at Notre Dame in 2012-13.

2012-13: Lucia skated in 32 games for Notre Dame as a freshman and was a member of the gold medal-winning USA team at the 2013 World Junior Championship. Skating primarily on the Fighting Irish’ second line with fellow NHL prospects T.J. Tynan (Columbus) and Austin Wuthrich (Washington), he scored 12 goals with 11 assists and was -4 with 18 penalty minutes. Notre Dame won the CCHA playoff title after finishing second to Miami in the regular season. The Fighting Irish lost to St. Cloud State, 5-1, in the NCAA Midwest Regional semifinals. Lucia had 1 assist and was +1 in seven games for the USA squad in Ufa, Russia.

2013-14: Lucia scored 16 goals for Notre Dame — one goal behind team leader Bryan Rust (PIT) — skating in all 40 games for the Fighting Irish as a sophomore. Primarily skating on a line with Vince Hinostroza (CHI) and Austin Wuthrich (WSH), he had 15 assists and was +1 with 12 penalty minutes. The Fighting Irish finished eighth in Hockey East during the regular season but upset first-place Boston College in the conference tournament and received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament; falling to St. Cloud State, 4-3, in overtime in the NCAA West regional semifinals.

Talent Analysis

Lucia is a speedy winger with some good size, He has been ahead of the competition at every level of his young career and continues to be one of his team's leading scorers at Notre Dame. His size and strength allow him to dominate at the college level and he has a strong desire to score goals. The other areas of his game are not as developed but should improve when he makes the step up to pro hockey and faces players with similar physical tools.

Future

Lucia is in his junior season at Notre Dame in 2014-15 and is again one of the top goal scorers in college hockey. The Fighting Irish are in the thick of things in Hockey East and Lucia will play a big role in their post-season fortunes. Lucia's shot and his physical makeup suggest he is capable of making the jump to pro hockey and there are rumors that he may sign a pro contract following this season rather than returning for his senior year. Long-range he projects as a power forward and consistent scorer.